Healthy Eating Policy 1. CONTEXT This is a small school. The pupils come from a mixture of private and local authority housing in the area and generally show attainment that matches the expected levels when they start school. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is below average. The school has won many prestigious awards for its standards and achievements. It would be difficult to make the provision for pupils' support, care and guidance any better; it is exemplary. Ofsted 2006 The school s aim is to continually improve the learning of pupils and adults and to remove barriers to learning by fully integrating the Every Child Matters agenda across the school and its community. 2. AIMS OF HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME Cockwood Primary School recognises the important connection between a healthy diet and a pupil s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in school. The school also recognises the role the school can play, as part of the wider community, to promote family health. The school aims to: Improve the health of pupils and staff, and their families by helping to influence their eating habits through increasing their knowledge and awareness of food issues, including what constitutes a healthy and environmentally sustainable diet, and hygienic food preparation and storage methods. Ensure pupils are well nourished at school, and that every pupil has access to safe, tasty and nutritious food, and a safe, easily available water supply during the school day. Present consistent, informed messages about healthy eating within school through all school practices. Ensure that food provision in the school reflects the medical and ethical requirements of pupils and staff for example medical, allergenic, religious, ethnic and vegetarian needs. Ensure the provision and consumption of food is an enjoyable and safe experience. Develop the skills necessary for healthy choices in diet. The school will work towards these aims in partnership with the parents/carers. We wil consult regularly with parents via workshops, questionnaires and verbal feedback. Food and nutrition education forms part of the formal curriculum through Science, RE, geography, PSHE and Citizenship, and DT.
Other school policies which have relevance to food and nutrition are: PSHE and Citizenship Drugs Education DT First Aid Science Health and Safety Behaviour Anti-bullying Special Educational Needs Early Years PE Equal Opportunities Geography & History Teaching & Learning RE 3. MORALS AND VALUES FRAMEWORK AND ETHOS OF THE SCHOOL STATEMENT The food and nutrition education element of the science, geography, RE, PSHE and Citizenship, and DT programmes will reflect the school s over-arching aims, and demonstrate and encourage the following values: respect for self respect for others responsibility for their own actions responsibility for their family, friends, school and wider community 4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT Cockwood Primary School is committed towards equal opportunities in all aspects of school life. All resources used and teaching and learning will support this commitment. Ethnic and cultural diversity Different ethnic and cultural groups may have different attitudes to Healthy Eating. The school will consult pupils and parents/carers about their needs, take account of their views and promote respect for, and understanding of, the views of different ethnic and cultural groups. 5. CURRICULUM CONTENT Topics and themes will be revisited from year to year taking account of the pupils development and the spiral curriculum concept. The content of the Healthy Eating education programme including learning outcomes will be based on the recommended education curriculum programme Health for Life as a framework.
At Cockwood Primary School Healthy Eating is delivered within a whole school approach which includes: As topics Through planned aspects of PSHE, science, DT, geography and RE Addressed occasionally in assembly time Through special performances Through pastoral time e.g. circle time Through story time Through the personal, social and emotional development area of learning in the foundation stage. Through extra-curricular activities Through special projects e.g. healthy eating week, tasting sessions, competitions Healthy Eating Policy - Cockwood - 13/03/2008 Through the role models offered by adults at the school Parent/child workshop around the theme of healthy eating Water bottles/water filter in classrooms Improved school lunches using fresh ingredients Healthy Lunch box ideas promoted Healthy break-time snacks such as fruit, dried fruit and cereal bars 6. ORGANISATION The food and nutrition element of the formal curriculum will be co-ordinated by the PSHE team in conjunction with the headteacher. Active learning methods which involve pupils full participation will be used. Healthy Eating is an integral part of our Health Education programme which uses the same range of good practice in teaching and learning as other areas of the curriculum. These include information given in whole or part class groups, large and small group discussion, the use of videos, artefacts, and other audio visual aides. Visiting speakers. (Use other agencies where appropriate). Materials and methods will be differentiated wherever possible to allow for effective learning by pupils of varying abilities. There will be a clear emphasis on the skill development of pupils, which will be as interactive as possible, to enable pupils to make healthy choices. PARTNERSHIP/LIAISON The programme is supported by a range of outside organisations and visitors who enhance the delivery of the programme and provide relevant and specialist information. It is the policy of this school to work closely with: The Advisory Service of the LEA The Youth Affairs Officer of the Police Service Health Agencies Health Visitors/Social Services/EWO Sure Start Devon Healthy Schools Team The use of these agencies is subject to the overall aims and policy for Health Education of the school and compliments its work, rather than substitutes for it. Visitors should be known and approved by the LA.
7. SPECIFIC ISSUES School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme The school is fully involved in the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme which provides every child aged 4 to 6 with a free piece of fruit. This has been extended to Key Stage 2. School Meal Provision School meal provision meets government nutritional standards. Food is provided which meet the ethnic, allergenic, vegetarian, religious and medical needs of staff and pupils. The school is working with the school meal providers to increase the number of healthier school dinner options (in liaison with community dieticians). Menus are on display in the school and sent home termly. The school council is regularly asked to report on school dinner provision. They consider the organisation of the dining experience and the food provided. They are involved in learning walks around other local primary schools and feedback good practice they observe. MTAs are supported with an in-service training programme which includes sessions on food and nutrition awareness (including allergies), hygiene and behaviour strategies. Catering staff monitor the temperature of food daily. Packed Lunches Parents/carers are encouraged to provide healthy packed lunches for their children. Fizzy drinks, chocolate and sweets are not permitted in packed lunches or as snacks. Healthy packed lunch suggestions are available on request. All packed lunches are stored away from direct sunlight at a cool temperature. Pupils are encouraged to bring packed lunches in a cool bag. Water Provision All pupils have access to drinking water at all times, at a number of points around the school. Pupils are also encouraged to carry water with them and consumption is permitted both in the class, and during break and lunchtimes. Water is also available during sport activities. Healthy Eating Week During the week the school celebrates Healthy Eating and promotes new food, ideas and tastes. Each class is involved in competitions designing posters, encouraging healthy food choices and possible healthy lunchboxes. Children taste a wide variety of fruit and get, healthy snacks and meal choices. Role play, art, science and DT are used to involve the children and promote healthy lifestyles. Parents are invited along to help with the activities and share the tasting experiences with their children.
Special Events As part of our MFL, RE, history and geography curriculum, children experience food from different countries and cultures e.g. French Day. We maximise the potential to work effectively with other agencies. Recycling Initiative Our school is dedicated to recycling. Reward Systems All staff recognise the need for consistent messages about healthy eating within school. Sweets are not used to reward good behaviour or work. Stickers are given by Kitchen staff and MTAs to reward Healthy lunchboxes, trying new foods and positive behaviour during lunch times. Free School Meal Provision The school encourages all families entitled to free school meal provision to access this assistance. Monitoring of uptake is undertaken confidentially. Hygiene Pupils are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before handling food. All government regulations appertaining to food hygiene are complied with by food service providers. Cleaning and disinfectant schedules are regularly inspected by the Health and Safety co-ordinator and the catering service provider. All staff employed in food preparation hold a basic food and hygiene certificate. At present all members of staff involved in the provision of food and nutrition are supported by an in-service training programme. An independent food hygiene inspection of food storage, meal preparation and food serving areas is carried out annually. Allergies Parents/carers inform the school if a pupil suffers from an allergy, identifying the foods to which s/he reacts and the usual symptoms of the reaction. To ensure all staff, including supply staff, are aware of pupil allergies a list of class health problems is attached to every class register. Pupils with allergies are also identified on kitchen, staff and office notice boards. All staff members are aware of the school s medical, and health and safety procedures. Food Poisoning In the event of a food poisoning outbreak advice will be sought from the LEA Health & Safety Department and the local environmental health office.
8. ASSESSMENT, RECORDING AND REPORTING Formal methods of assessing pupils progress will not be used, but staff will make every effort through discussion and observation to determine how well pupils are progressing in their knowledge, understanding, skill and attitudinal development. 9. C.P.D. The headteacher regularly attends conferences and courses to remain informed about new initiatives, developments and resources available. 10. DISSEMINATION OF THE POLICY All staff members and governors will receive a copy of this policy. Copies are available to view upon request to the Headteacher. 11. MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE POLICY An annual report will be made by the headteacher to the governors and a summary will be given in the School Profile annual report to parents/carers. A nominated PSHE governor will have a link role between the school and the governing body. Any relevant comments from recent OFSTED inspections, healthy schools status, or other evaluations completed will also be included in the evaluation and review process. Reviewed: Spring 2012 To be reviewed: Spring 2014.
10. DATE FOR REVIEW OF THE POLICY The policy will be reviewed in March 2010 using a consultative process which identifies teacher and whole staff; children; parents/carers and governor feedback on food and nutrition provision and Healthy Eating education within the whole school community. Signed: Jessica Humphrey 10.3.08 Headteacher Date Jackie Whatmore 10.3.08 Chair of Governors Date Review Spring 2010 Healthy Eating Policy - Cockwood - 13/03/2008